Falcons' Bryant likely to miss next game with hamstring injury

The Associated Press

Monday

Oct 15, 2018 at 8:18 PMOct 15, 2018 at 8:18 PM

ATLANTA — Falcons kicker Matt Bryant is expected to miss the next game against the New York Giants after straining his right hamstring making a 57-yard field goal that helped Atlanta snap a three-game losing streak.

Coach Dan Quinn said Monday the Falcons are going to bring in another kicker this week to fill in for Bryant. Giorgio Tavecchio, who was with the team at the end of the preseason, is among the candidates.

Tavecchio kicked last season for the Oakland Raiders. He made 16 of 21 field goals, including three from 50 yards or longer, and all but one extra point.

The 43-year-old Bryant is one of Atlanta's most reliable offensive weapons. He has connected on all nine of his field goal attempts this season, including three from at least 50 yards.

Bryant's longest kick of the season helped clinch a 34-29 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. But he immediately grabbed his hamstring, hobbled off the field and headed straight to the locker room.

The Falcons (2-4) face the New York Giants (1-5) next Monday night. Atlanta is off the following week, which would give Bryant extra time to recover before the Nov. 4 game at Washington.

Coach Dan Quinn showed his confidence in Bryant when he decided to go for the long field goal with 1:10 remaining against the Bucs. With the Falcons clinging to a two-point lead, a miss would've given Tampa Bay excellent field position to drive for a winning field goal.

But Bryant's kick barely cleared the crossbar, giving the Falcons an edge that stood up for the victory.

"I can't say enough about Matt Bryant and the kick he had in the fourth quarter," Quinn said. "He's one of the toughest players I've ever coached. Not just the toughest kicker, but one of the toughest players."

PATRIOTS: New England says it has banned from Gillette Stadium a fan who threw beer in the face of Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill late in the Patriots' 43-40 win.

After scoring on a 75-yard pass with just over three minutes to play in Sunday's game Hill's momentum carried him through the back of the end zone and into the padded wall.

Fans made obscene gestures and threw beer at him.

The Patriots said in a statement the person broke the team's fan code of conduct and "will be sent a letter of disinvite to all future events at Gillette Stadium."

No name was released.

The matter has been turned over to law enforcement and Foxborough Police Chief William Baker says his department is investigating.

LSU: The Southeastern Conference has fined fifth-ranked LSU $100,000 for fans rushing the field after the Tigers topped then-No. 2 Georgia 36-16 over the weekend.

The league announced the fine Monday. It cited Saturday's incident as a second violation of the SEC's policy against fans on the field. The same thing occurred against Mississippi in 2014.

The SEC said fines collected against school for violating the competition-area policy are deposited in the league's post-graduate scholarship fund.

The league said a third violation could lead to a fine of up to $250,000.

EX-PLAYER CHARGED: Police say a former West Virginia football player has been charged in Georgia with aggravated child molestation.

Authorities say Justin Crawford was arrested after a 12-year-old girl told her mother Crawford had sex with her Saturday in his Columbus home.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported that Detective Mark Scruggs testified during a preliminary hearing Crawford's wife saw her husband standing over the girl Saturday morning, then told the girl's mother.

Scruggs says Crawford first denied having sex, then later said it was the girl's idea.

A lawyer for Crawford couldn't be found.

Crawford played two seasons for West Virginia and signed this year as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons before being released.

The Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football says Crawford was suspended after his arrest.

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